diff --git a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewImpl.java b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewImpl.java
index 618bd6ae1a7f..22112a2d303a 100644
--- a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewImpl.java
+++ b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewImpl.java
@@ -1036,8 +1036,7 @@ public class ProjectViewImpl extends ProjectView implements PersistentStateCompo
     }
   }
 
-  @ApiStatus.Internal
-  public synchronized void reloadPanes() {
+  private synchronized void reloadPanes() {
     if (project.isDisposed() || !isExtensionsLoaded.get()) return; // panes will be loaded later
 
     Map<String, AbstractProjectViewPane> newPanes = loadPanes();